H&R Block Accepting ‘Dollars & Sense’ Applications for Free High School Curriculum

Never has planning for one’s financial future been more important than in the current economic climate. Now schools can help parents teach children about smart ways to spend monthly allowances or part-time job money.

According to Jumpstart Coalition for Financial Literacy, 50 percent of high school seniors fail when tested on basic personal finance. H&R Block Dollars & Sense, which provides free personal finance curriculum grants to teachers, hopes to lower that number significantly.

H&R Block is accepting applications now through March 1 for the curriculum that normally retails for approximately $1,500. Created by Knowledge Matters and provided by H&R Block’s grant process, Dollars & Sense will award curriculum to 250 schools this spring adding to the more than 3,000 schools currently participating. 

Dollars & Sense uses a game-like simulation to teach students how to budget, use debit and credit cards, save money, pay rent and avoid debt. Since 2009, H&R Block Dollars & Sense has awarded more than $2.5 million in curriculum grants and scholarships to high schools and students nationwide.

Financial psychologist and Dollars & Sense adviser Brad Klontz says financial learning also could ward off health problems. 

“Financial stress is damaging to our health,” Klontz said in a statement. “High school is a critical time for teens to learn important financial lessons before they are out on their own. Helping teenagers understand concepts such as credit and budgeting early on can build confidence, reduce stress and set them on the right track for their financial future.”

To apply, visit www.hrblockdollarsandsense.com to fill out an application about why the curriculum grant will benefit your school. There will be 250 awards for next school year.